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SYS2003/SYS2403: Professional Practice in
Information Systems
SYS2403 (4 points)
4 hrs classes per week 4 hrs assignment per week Exam 60% Three assignments
SYS2003 (6 points)
4 hrs classes per week 8 hrs assignment per week Exam 60% Four assignments
Subject Administration
Subject leader:Barry Atkinson
Web pagewww3.sims.monash.edu.au/subjects/sys2003.nsf
Subject Administration
Lectures:Monday, 4-6pm
Tutorials:Monday, 6-8pmNo tutes in first week
Course materials:Available on subject web site from next week
Texts (highly recommended)
Judith DWYER: Communication for Business. (previously “The Business Communication Handbook”) Prentice Hall (any edition)
Galvin, Prescott & Huseman: Business Communication: strategies and skills. Holt, Rinehart & Winston
Copies available in library not compulsory BUT … don’t expect
lectures and tutorials to give you all you need to know – this is University not school
The Nature of Systems: A Reminder
Multiple components Integrated/inter-related components Whole greater than sum of parts People are essential components
Professional Practice in IS?
Professional? Practice Is - On time
- On budget- Happy users
enough?
This unit
Exploring the demands on the IT professional “IT professional” means all IT jobs, not just
Systems Analysts Looks at the
- knowledge- skills- attitudes
demanded by the marketplace for IS professionals
This unit (cont)
Increased skills (especially analytic and communications skills)
Skill mix(the broad variety of skills currently required by IS professionals)
Offers an opportunity to broaden your skills through study and practical tutorial work
Attendance
Miss tutorial sessions at your peril!This unit has a practical component designed to broaden your skills, which includes group project management (which will be part of unit assessment)
Take the opportunity to test your skills before your job requires them
Tutorial attendance is not compulsory, nor will it be recorded – so its up to you!
Workload
Lectures Background study Four/five assignments Group project management
REQUIRES Planning Organization Consistent work practicesTHIS UNIT IS DESIGNED TO MAKE “NIGHT BEFORE
DUE DATE” EFFORTS IMPOSSIBLE
People vs Machines as System Components Machines
Definable limited functionality; limited adaptability Standardised operation Externally controlled/directed/driven Totally unresponsive to external stimuli; consistent
performance within standard operating environment
Not subject to emotions - embarrassment/hurt/anger/fear/humiliation/etc
People
Adaptable Unique Individually controlled/directed/driven Responsive to external stimuli Inconsistent performance Subject to emotions -
embarrassment/hurt/anger/fear/humiliation/etc Their input and usage and good will necessary to
make machines do the job they are designed to do
The Problem
You have been trained to lead the technical development of machine-based systems
How would you cope with a technical environment where every machine was different?
….. So how will you cope with a system environment where every person involved is different?
different beliefs, different experience
more than you/less than you
Coping Strategies
1. Pretend it’s not an issue: “Computing is only about technical issues” “Working with IT is just common sense” “Everyone knows that”
2. Treat People Like Machines: “He/she/they should be able to do that” “He/she/they shouldn’t feel/think like that” “He/she/they should be able to just follow instructions” “He/she/they should do what they are told”
Coping Strategies (cntd)
3. Pass the Problem to Someone Else: “It’s a management/organisational issue. I’m just here to
do the technical stuff” “Someone else on the development team can do that better
than me” “The users will have to sort it out for themselves” “I don’t know who should do it, but it’s not my area of
responsibility”
Issues to be Addressed
Communication Negotiation/conflict resolution Ethics Professionalism
WHY? Because we are designing and building systems to be
used Because we can adapt the machine components of
the system to better use if we want to Because we have power to harm Because we want to do the whole job, not just part
SYS2003/2403: Professional Practice in IS
The Changing Role of the IS Professional
The IS Professional’s Role: Reasons for Change
The increasing capabilities of technology The increasing spread and accessibility of
technology The increasing business reliance on technology The increasing expectations of technology The changing patterns in development practice The increasing globalization of business
environment
Some Roles for IS Professionals: The Technician
Responsibilities Buying and installing the
technology Making the technology work Supporting the users
Audiences Other technicians Other technical
professionals Equipment vendors Users
Some Roles for IS Professionals: The Programmer
Responsibilities Developing code which
meets functional specifications
Making the code maintainable, supportable, etc
Customising packages or systems to meet specifications or changed circumstances
Audiences Other programmers Other technical
professionals Users
Some Roles for IS Professionals: The Analyst
Responsibilities Determining system needs Negotiating with system
users and operators Liaising with suppliers of
packaged systems Preparing system
specifications
Audiences Other analysts Programmers and other
technical professionals Operators and users of the
system Vendors of packaged
systems
Some Roles for IS Professionals: The Business Systems Analyst
Responsibilities Identifying opportunities for
improving business operations
Monitoring industry trends in business practice
Preparing the ‘business case’ for system development or change
Preparing system specifications
Audiences Business and industry
experts Managers Equipment vendors Technical professionals of
all kinds
Some Roles for IS Professionals: The Team or Project Leader
Responsibilities Planning and organising the
project Liaising with all parties
involved Monitoring , controlling and
reporting on progress Taking or advising on
remedial action
Audiences Senior business
managers Equipment and
package vendors Consultants and
contractors Technical
professionals and Users
Etc etc etc - everyone!
Roles for IS Professionals: Specialisation and Multi-skilling
Broad categories do not cover the extent of the roles required
Roles and work responsibilities often cannot be ‘pigeon-holed’; multi-skilling is often needed
Degree of specialisation and multi-skilling needed depends on organisation and project team structures
Range and type of skills required has changed dramatically over the years and is continuing to change rapidly
The IS Professional’s Role: What Next?
Consider some recent trends and developments:
- the power of desktop machines
- the capabilities of packaged software
- the development of the Internet and Web
- the pressure for increased business efficiency
- the growth of e-commerce
- the trend to inter-organisational systems and globalisation
- the popularity of outsourcing Predictions anyone?
The IS Professional’s Role: Implications for Communication
Different types of communication relevant to different roles
Different audiences who must be effectively communicated with
The need for an extensive variety of tools, ‘technologies’ and techniques for communication
written
oral
and wordless